The Most Expensive White Diamond

A record was set last week for the most expensive white diamond sold in the Americas. Sotheby’s announced that on April 17th, they sold a D color, pear-shaped diamond, of approximately 75 carats, for a cool $14.2 million ($189,000 per carat).

Yes it is a beautiful diamond, but our two favorites from this sale are an Emerald and Diamond Necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels and a Platinum “Tutti Frutti” Bracelet from Cartier.

Other Favorites From the Magnificent Jewels Auction

The Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is a sparkling extravaganza of vivid green emeralds and bright white diamonds. 33 heart-shaped emeralds weighing 164.96 carats, are accented by 51 heart shaped diamonds, further accented by additional marquise, pear and round cut diamonds. This lovely jewel sold for $1,055,000, significantly over the estimate of $450,000 to $650,000.

Cartier’s Art Deco Tutti Frutti Jewels

The Cartier “Platinum, Carved Colored Stone, Diamond and Pearl ‘Tutti Frutti’ Bracelet by Cartier sold for $1,445,000, also significantly over its estimate of $300,000 to $500,000. Tutti Frutti, as these pieces are known, is named for a series of colorful bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, etc. designed by Cartier originally in the 1920’s and 1930’s. They are comprised of carved rubies, emeralds, and sapphires and interspersed with diamonds, resembling a fruit salad.

Famous Cartier Clients from the Art Deco Period

You may have heard of a few of Cartier’s clients who purchased these pieces. They were trendsetters and significantly impacted the popularity of the Tutti Frutti jewels. In 1925, Mrs. Cole Porter purchased a bracelet comprised of carved sapphires, rubies, emerald beads, onyx, black enamel, and diamonds. In 1935, she purchased a double clip brooch, with a similar color scheme, leaf shaped carved sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds.

Daisy Fellowes, considered to be one of the most fashionable and elegant women of the 20th century, heiress, socialite, author and Paris editor of Harper’s Bazaar in the 1930’s, commissioned a Tutti Frutti necklace. It was originally referred to as the Hindu necklace. It too was comprised of carved rubies, emerald, sapphires and accented with diamonds. It differed in that it featured briolette cut sapphires. The briolettes alone, weighted in at 146.9 carats. It has become one of the more famous Tutti Frutti pieces.

The artistry, craftsmanship, not to mention the gemstones utilized in these pieces are from a time gone by and would be nearly impossible to recreate today. As such, the demand for these beautiful works of art has only increased over the years. Each time they come up for auction, their prices seem to climb just a bit higher.

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Sugar et Cie's jewelry blog is for those who love unique and beautiful jewelry. We share information on jewelry fashion, unusual pieces of antique, vintage and modern jewelry, in addition to our latest finds.